Rheostat



(No Model.) Y

W. 0. MEISSNER.

RHEOSTATQ No. 544,047. Patented Aug. 6, 1895.

UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICE.

' WILLIAM O. MEISSNER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

RH EO STAT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 544,047, dated August 6, 1895. Application filed November 20, 1893. Renewed January 11, 1895. Serial No. 534,593. (No model.)

rt aZZ whom it may concern: matically, and do not wish to be limited to the Be it known that I, IVILLIAM O. MEISSNER, precise form and construction here shown. a citizen of the United States, residing at Ohi- It is evident, of course, that by slightly al- 55 cago, in the county of Cook and State of Illitering the arrangement the contact-bar could nois,have invented anew and usefulImprovebe made to move, while the cylinder with its ment in Rheostats, of which the following is a spiral ribs would be at rest; but this would be specificationa mere equivalent and is included in the spirit My invention relates to rheostats or resistof my invention. 6o ances of a variable character adapted for va- The use and operation of my invention are rious uses, and particularly such as regulatas follows: The device being set up and suiting electric lights. It is illustrated in the acably connected by means of its connecting or companying drawings, wherein terminal wires the current passes in, for ex- Figure 1 is a side view. Fig. 2 is an end ample, at the fixed contact plate or piece on 6 5 View. the cylinder. Thence it passes along the short :5 Like parts are indicated by the same letters half-turn of resistance-wire to the end of the in both the figures. spiral ridge, which end would be in contact A is a base or board on which the parts are with the contact-bar, and thence the currentpreferably mounted. will pass on to the contact-bar and out at the 0 B B are standards rising therefrom. other wire. If now by operating the crank C is a cylinder covered with abestos D and the cylinder be turned it will be observed that provided with the spiral rib E. the point of contact between the contact-bar F is a spiral coil of resistance-wire wound and the turns of resistancewire will be bout Such cylinder on top of the asbestos changed, or will travel, as it were, toward the 7 5 and forming a continuous winding, itself beopposite end of the cylinder, and the farther ing wound in a spiral form. This wire is bare, the cylinder is moved the farther will the point being insulated by the asbestos, and the sevof engagement between the contact-bar and eral coils are slightly separated from each the bare wire above the ridge be carried along O her- The asbestos is placed on top of the the cylinder, and if the motion be continued 80 spiral rib E. far enough the entire length of resistance- G is a shaft, and is journaled in the stand- Wire will ultimately be in circuit. By this ards B B. H is acrank on said shaft, whereby means therefore the turning of the cylinder it may be turned. can be utilized to successfully cut in or out J is one of the conductors leading tothe single turns or coils of the resistance-wire, so 85 fixed contact-plate K upon the cylinder, and that the variation in a resistance will be made to which insulated contact-plate one end of in an exceedingly uniform manner and with the resistance-wire is secured. The wire J great regularity. With regard to the operais connected to this contact-block by means tion, of course it is immaterial whether the of the flexible wire L. M is the other conduccylinder or contact-bar is movable, the only 90 tor, connected with the contact-bar N, which point being that they have motion with refer- 0 is supported in proximity to the cylinder and ence to each other.

parallel therewith, preferably on the stand- I claim ards B B. It may be insulated at its ends by 1. In a rheostat, the combination of a rotatthe insulation 0. The contact-bar N is in able cylinder with a spiral ridge therealong 5 such position that it is adapted to engage the and resistance wires thereabout.

5 outwardly-protruding coils of the resistance- 2. In a rheostat, the combination of a rotatwire which lie on the outside of the spiral rib able cylinder, with a spiral ridge therealong as such spiral rib and protruding coils pass and resistance wires thereabout, said resistunder such contact-bar. ance wire bare, but its successive coils sepa- I00 It isplain that these several parts can be rated from each other. greatly altered as to size, shape, and propor- 3. In a rheostat, the combination of a rotattion and also as to their relation to each other. able cylinder with a spiral ridge therealong I am simply showing it, as it were, diagramand resistance wires thereabout, said resistil l ance Wire bare, but insulated from said cylinder and ridge,

t. In a rheostat, the combination of a rotatable cylinder with a spiral ridge thereal'ong and resistance wires thereabout, said resistance Wire bare, but insulated from said cylinder and ridge, and its successive coils separated from each other.

5. In a rheostat, the combination of a rotatable cylinder With a spiral ridge therealong and resistance Wires thereabout, and a contact bar along such cylinder, and adapted to engage the spiral ridge at successive points, as the cylinder is turned.

6. In a rheostat, the combination of a rotatable cylinder with a spiral ridge thereahout, insulation covering for ridge and cylinder, a resistance wire Wound about such cylinder and ridge, its successive coils separated from such cylinder, said bar and cylinder movable 30 with reference to each other so that the spiral ridge is successively engaged at dillerent points by the contact bar.

WILLIAM O. MEISSNER.

Witnesses:

FRANCIS W. PARKER, \VAL'IER J. GUNTnonr. 

